Matt Bryant

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut kicker Matt Bryant and traded backup quarterback Luke McCown on Saturday. Neither move was a surprise. Bryant was released even though his 83.1 field goal rate in four seasons is the best in franchise history. He injured his right hamstring in practice last month and did not kick in the preseason. Mike Nugent, signed as a free agent during the offseason, handled all of the kicking duties in preseason and made 6 of 9 field goals. McCown, beat out by Byron Leftwich for the starting quarterback job, was traded to Jacksonville a few hours after final cuts were announced ... Read Full Story

Bradie James and Ken Hamlin were so upset with the way the Dallas Cowboys' defense played in the opener against Tampa Bay that they had trouble sleeping. Keith Brooking was so angry that he showed up to work early Monday and watched the game film by himself to get a head-start on cleaning up the problems, many of which were self-inflicted. "It wasn't anything they were doing to us," Brooking said. "We just have to be more disciplined." Instead of lining up in their base defense and daring the Buccaneers to beat them, the Cowboys came out trying to force big plays — and ... Read Full Story

Kicker Mike Nugent signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday. A second-round draft pick in 2005, Nugent spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets. He's converted 75 of 92 field-goal attempts (81 percent) during his career, but is coming off a year in which he missed the final 15 games after being injured in the season opener. Nugent, 83-for-85 on extra points, strained his right thigh on a first-quarter kickoff at Miami and hasn't played since. He made two extra points, but missed the only field goal — a 32-yarder — he tried in that game. Matt ... Read Full Story

ORLANDO, June 12, 2009 – The Hayes Foundation’s This Side Up campaign is an educational effort that reminds anyone who looks after a baby (parents, grandparents, siblings and daycare providers) that babies are at less of a risk of SIDS if placed on their backs at nap or bed time. Funded by a grant from the 100 Women Strong , HCECF will distribute the campaign’s educational onesies to all babies born in Orange County hospitals. The onesies read “This Side Up…While Sleeping” on the front and offer additional safe-sleeping tips on the back. The grant funding will cover the costs of the campaign for ... Read Full Story

The Buccaneers have released kicker Mike Nugent, who won the kicking battle with incumbent Matt Bryant. The Bucs auditioned kickers Monday to replace Nugent, who converted just two out of six field goal attempts in four games. Read Full Story